Telescoping tower vehicle



March 24, 1953 A WAGNER 2,632,530

TELESCOPING TOWER VEHICLE Filed July 5, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. Elmer A Wayne/ March 24, 1953 E. A. WAGNER TELESCOPING TOWER VEHICLE 3 She etsSheet 2 Filed July 5, 1950 INVENTOR. Elmer A. Wayne/ BY Y\ a a a TQQV Lil-Li WLN I HIVQ 25 March 24} 1953 E. A. WAGNER -TELESCOPING TOWER VEHICLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 3, 1950 INVENTOR. E/mer 14. Wagner M M 8% Patented Mar. 24, 1953 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE TELESCOPING TOWER VEHICLE Elmer A. Wagner, Portland, Oreg. Application July 3, 1950, Serial No. 171,879

Claims.

7 r 1 7 My present invention comprises a mobile lift having a variety of uses. The principal object of. the present invention is to provide a mobile lift including a telescoping tower which may reach to relatively great heights when extended, and which may be collapsed and positioned horizontally above the chassis of the vehicle so that it may be moved about'without encountering overhanging obstructions on roads or the like. The example of the invention disclosed in the drawing comprises a mobile lift designed particularly for the elevation of workmen to great heights in;mine chambers, such as found in the oil shale mines of Colorado, in order that loose rock may be scaled from the walls and ceilings of the chambers of the mine. The particular form of the invention herein illustrated is of utility in scaling loose rock from the walls of open pit mines or otherwise operating upon the faces of open pit mines, quarries, road cuts, railroad cuts and the like, and it could likewise be used by carpenters, painters and other artisans operating upon the faces of buildings. The invention comprises a carriage including a worker supporting platform in the particular illustration, butit is to be appreciated that the platform could-be replaced by other devices such as con- 7 crete buckets, lift forks, scoops and the like for use in operations requiring the lifting of ma:- terials to relatively great heights.

, Anobject of the present invention is to pro: vide a vehicle of the foregoing character having great stability and sturdiness and in which the elevation of the carriage relative to the ground proach or sothat operations may be performed,

upon sloping or overhanging Walls.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means of the foregoing character which are extremely simple both in construction and in operation. a

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily ascertained by inspection of the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying .drawing'wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, while the features ofnovelty will be more distinctly pointed out in. the appended claims. 1

the top of the collapsed tower;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, with parts broken awayj Fig. 3 is a side elevation, on a small scale, showing the tower fully extended in full lines and collapsed and tilted to a horizontal position in dash lines;

Fig. 4 is a partial side elevation showing the first section of the telescoping tower at the be ginning of extending movement thereof with re-' spect to the ground level;

Fig. 5 is a partial horizontal section, with parts broken away, and on an enlarged scale, taken. substantially from the plane of line 5-5 of Fig 1; and t Fig. 6 is a partial vertical section, on an en-f larged scale, taken substantially along line 6-1-6 of Fig. 1.

The invention preferably comprises a tricycle vehicle having a pair of dual wheels H1 at the front of a triangular chassis I I and a single tillerv wheel l2 at the rear of the chassis. The wheels I 0 are mounted on forwardly extending portions, l3'of the chassis which are widely spaced apart so as to provide a substantially bifurcated chassis,

the wheels being joined by an axle I4 and being driven by sprocket chains [5 extending forwardly from a suitable driving connection with the auto motive engine (not shown) of the vehicle. The

engine may be suitably mounted in a compartment It at the rear of the chassis and controlled by a driver sitting in the cab I! through the usual control means (not shown). The vehicle is steered from place to place by means of a steering wheel [9 connected in the usual manner to the tiller wheel [2. Details of the vehicle'and the driving means therefor are not shown since such details form no part of the present invention and a number of forms thereof are; well known in the art.

A pair of tower tilting and supporting members 20 are pivotally mounted on the axle l4 and extend upward to a slight distance abovethe top of the cab 11. The members are connected together in the lateral direction by means such as the crossbars 2| and 22 and may berocked in unison either to a rearward inclination from the vertical or a forward inclination from the vertical by means such as a pair of hydraulic motors 23 pivotally connected between thermernebers 20 and the top of the cab. The crossbar 2| provides a pivotal connection for the collapsible tower, the crossbar being pivotally connected to the rear longitudinal frame members of a base tower section 24. The tower may be lowered to the horizontal position indicated in dash line in Fig. 3 by means such as the pair of fluid motors 25 pivotally mounted upon the crossbar 22 and pivotally connected to the rear longitudinal frame members of the base section 24 at a point above the crossbar 2|. Suitable controls (not shown) may be operated to raise the tower from its horizontal traveling position to its vertical operating position by operation of hydraulic motors 25, and after it has reached the vertical position suitable other controls (not shown) may be operated to tilt the tower with respect to the vertical through operation of the hydraulic mo tors 23.

The base tower section 24 comprises an open latticework rectangular-frame, within which may be nested a plurality of successively smaller open latticework rectangular tower sections 26, 2? and 28. A plurality of pulleys are mounted in pairs at' the opposite sides of each tower section, each tower section except the base section and the innermost section having four such pulleys mounted thereon, two at the top and two at the bottom. A cable 30 is trained about the pulleys, extending alternately about an upper pulley on one "tower section, then a lower pulley on the succeeding tower section at one side of the tower, and then reversing the procedure on the other side of the tower whereby operation of a drum 3| mounted on the vehicle chassis between the arms l3 in one direction will cause extension of the tower and in the opposite direction will cause telescoping of the tower. The drum is operatively connected to the engine through suitable means such as disclosed in the patent to Wagner et a1. 2,330,752, issued November 3, 1942-.

The pulley and cable system as so far described includes the following pulleys over'which the cable is successively trained: In Fig. 2 there are indicated a pair of guide pulleys 33 and 34 mounted in substantially horizontal positions between the arms I3 so as to guide the cable 30 onto the drum 3|. The cable then passes about a Vertically positioned guide pulley 35 at the forward portion of one of the arms l3 above the axle '|4. It then passes successively about the following tower pulleys at one side of the tower:

Pulley 36' at the top of the base section 24, pulley similarly positioned pulleys on the opposite side of the tower until it reaches a tower pulley at the top of the base section corresponding to pulley 36. It passes from this pulley, indicated at 43 in Fig. 1, to'the opposite portion |3 of the chassis and is anchored thereto at 44.

The cable 30 is not only guided from one side of the tower to the other but is so arranged as to control a movable carriage 45, which is supported in a bight of the cable 30 and which may be-moved vertically along a tower track including a lower part 46 extending longitudinally of the tower and fixed tothe base section 24 and an upper part 41 extending longitudinally of the The tower and fixed to the top of the innermost section 28 through a forwardly extending, overhanging frame 49. The upper track part 41 is considerably shorter than the lower part 46 and each of the pair of rails thereof is provided with a pointed lower end adapted to engage a notched upper end in the corresponding rail of the lower track part 46. The two track parts are complementary and longitudinally aligned whereby the track extends the full length of the tower when the tower sections are telescoped together as seen in Fig. 1. The carriage is guided upon the tracks by means such as wheels 50 and 5|.

The bight portion ofthe cable between pulley 42 and its counterpart on the opposite side of the innermost tower section is passed successively about the following pulleys: pulley 52 located at the forward extremity of frame 49, then downwardly and horizontally about a pair of vertically positioned pulleys 53 mounted on the carriage 45, then upwardly about a pulley 54 corresponding to pulley 52 onthe opposite side of the frame.

The respective weights of the carriage 45 andthe.

tower sections are such that initial operation of the drum 3| in the direction to wind the cable thereonto will raise the carriage 45 from its lowermost position against a stop 55 at the bottom of the lower track part 46 until the carriage is fully positioned on the upper track part 41. Continued winding movement of the drum after the carriage has come to rest by striking suitable abutments on the upper track part (not shown) causes the lightest innermost tower section 28 to be extended, successively followed by the other tower sections until the limit of extension is reached. Unwinding of the drum causes telescoping of the tower sections in the reverse direction followed by lowering of the carriage until it engages the abutments 55.

In order to guide the tower sections and tov limit movement of one with respect to another, each tower section is provided with suitable means such as the following: the longitudinal elements at each corner of each tower section comprise an outer angle bar 60 and an inner angle bar 6|, the surfaces of which are relatively smooth. Short brackets extend inwardly from the inner angle 6|. to support a vertical short angle bar 62 upon which are mounted a pair of bronze guide bars 63' which engage the surface of the longitudinal angle 6|. The angle 62 and its attached bronze guide bar 63' occupy a position at the top of each tower section. Corresponding angles support a corresponding pair of bronze guide bars 64 at the bottom of'eachtower section. The bronze guide bars 64' slide along the. surface of the corresponding angle bar 6| while the outer angle bar 60 of the succeeding inner tower section slides along the stationary bronze guide bar 63 at the top of the outer tower until the upper ends of the bars 64 engage the lower ends of the bars 62 to limit upward movement of the moving section. Such successive movement of the movable tower sections ceases when the sections are fully extended with respect to the base section 24.

Means are preferably provided to latch the carriage to the upper track section whereby breakage of the cable would not result in a free fall of the carriage and its occupant but wouldpermit the carriage to descend rather slowly as the cable runs out of its sheaves. Such means may comprise an abutment 10- mountedupon the carriage 45 inposition to. engage the, lower cam. face. of a. safietyhook. 'l-zl. pivoted upon a. rod 12;

mountedupon a plate 13 extending between the,

tracks of'the-upper-track part 46. The safety hook is preferably urged toward latching position by a spring Handheld in such position as to be movable by engagement of the abutment with the cam face thereof by a limit abutment 15. The'latch hook preferably has a handle extension 'lfi by means of which itmay be manually released by an operator onfthe carriage platform as the tower reaches a collapsed position.

" The controls for raising and lowering the carriage, and for tilting the tower,may be positioned on the carriage so as to safeguard the workers.

Similarly, lighting means may be mounted thereon, and'a safety switch may bemounted on top of the carriageit'o' prevent it from being pushed against the cei-ling'of amine chamber.

Having illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it should be apa: tower mounted upon the chassis and including a plurality of tower sections telescopicallyslidablewith'respect to each other, one of said sections comprisinga base section attached to said 'towe'r and another of said sections comprising a movable section, a track mounted upon said tower, said track including a lower part extending longitudinally of said tower and fixed to said base section and an upper part extending longitudinally of said tower and fixed to said movable section, said upper and lower track parts being complementary and longitudinally aligned whereby said track extends the full length of said tower when said tower sections are telescoped together, a carriage movable along and guided by said track, means including a cable and sheaves on said carriage through which said cable runs to elevate or lower said carriage along the full length of said track when said tower sections are telescoped together, and abutting means on said carriage and said movable tower section for limiting upward movement of said carriage on said movable tower section whereby said cable is rendered effective to elevate or lower said movable tower section and said carriage as a unit when said carriage is on said upper track part.

2. A mobile lift comprising a wheeled chassis, a tower mounted upon the chassis and including a plurality of tower sections of substantially equal length telescopically slidable one within another vto their full extent, one of said sections comprising a base section attached to said tower and a plurality of said sections comprising movable sections, a track mounted upon said tower, said track including a lower part extending longitudinally of the major part of said base section and a smaller upper part mounted upon the innermost movable section, said upper and lower track parts being complementary and longitudinally aligned whereby said track extends the full length of said tower when said tower sections are telescoped together, a carriage movable along and guided by said track, and a single cable and sheave means to elevate or lower said carriage along the full length of said track when said tower sections are fully telescoped within one another and to extend or collapse said tower to or form its full length when said carriage is on said upper track part.

3 A; mobile lift-comprising a wheeledchassls',"

a tower mounted upon said chassis and including a pluralityof sections telescoped one within'another,one of said sections comprising a base section attached to said tower and others of said sections being longitudinally movable, a track:

mounted upon said tower, said track including a lower part extending longitudinally of said tower and fixed to said base section and an upper part extending longitudinally of said tower and fixedto the innermost movable section, said upper andlower track parts being complementary and longitudinally aligned whereby said track extends the full length of said tower when said tower sections are telescoped together, a carriage movable along and guided by said track, means for extending or retracting said movable sections comprising a plurality of tower pulleys arranged in pairs at the top and bottom of each of said tower sections, a drum mounted upon said chassis, a cable extending from said drum and around said tower pulleys, said cable beingarranged alternately about upper and lower pulleys of each section at one side of said tower and then alternately about the upper and lower pulleys of each section at the other side of said tower and having its free end anchored to said chassis, said cable having a bight portion extending between the upper pulleys of the innermost tower section, carriage pulleys mounted-on said carriage and engaged in said bight portion, andmeans to operate said drum, the relative weights of said carriage and said sections being such that initial operation of said drum in one direction causes movement of said carriage upwardly along said track as said bight portion is shortened, followed by elevation of said movable tower sections in succession when said carriage is on said upper track section.

4. A mobile lift comprising a wheeled chassis, a tower mounted upon said chassis and including a plurality of sections telescoped one within another, one of said sections comprising a base section attached to said tower and others of said sections being longitudinally movable, a track mounted upon said tower, said track including a lower part extending longitudinally of said tower and fixed to said base section and an upper part extending longitudinally of said tower and fixed to the innermost movable section, said upper and lower track parts being complementary and longitudinally aligned whereby said track extends the full length of said tower when said tower sections are telescoped together, a carriage movable along and guided by said track, means for extending or retracting said movable sections comprising a plurality of tower pulleys arranged in pairs at the top and bottom of each of said tower sections, a drum mounted upon said chassis, a cable extending from said drum and around said tower pulleys, said cable being arranged alternately about upper and lower pulleys of each section at one side of said tower and then alternately about the upper and lower pulleys 01' each section at the other side of said tower and having its free end anchored to said chassis, said cable having a bight portion extending between the upper pulleys of the innermost tower section, carriage pulleys mounted on said carriage and engaged in said bight portion, and means to operate said drum, the relative weights of said carriage and said sections being such that initial operation of said drum in one direction causes movement of said carriage upwardly along said track as said bight portion is sections, being longitudinally movable, atrack momted npon saidtower, said track-including;

a; lower-- part extendin longitudinally: of saidtower; andfixedtosaidbase section and an upper part extending;longitudinally of. said tower andfigged, to the; innermost movable: section, said unner: nd; ow r: track pa s; e n 1 9 tary: and longitudinally aligned whereby said track exti-m s. the ul l n th of. sa d tower n Said, tower sections. arev telescoped: together, a. carria e'mev bl al ne a deu de y a d a mcansfor extending; orretracting said movable.

Sections comprising a. plurality of; tower; pulleys;

arrangedin pairs at the-top and bottom of eachof: said: towersections, a; drum mounted; uponsa dz chassis. a le ten r sa m. and atxfcuid said towerpulleys, said cable being arranged; alternatelyabout upper and lower pulleys of each section at, one side; of said towerthen alternately about the upper; and lowerpulleys of; each section att-he other side: of said 8: e rand ha ng i s ree and: an hor d" o aid chassis, said cable having; a bight, portion extending between the upperpulleysv off the. innermost towersection, carriage pulleys mounted on saidcarriage and enga ed in lsaid bight portion, means to operate said drum, the relative weights of said carriage and said sections; be-

ing such that. initialoperation of said drumin one direction; causesmovement. of said carriage upwardly. along said track as, said bight portion is shortened, followed, by, elevation. of said movable tower sections insuccession, when. said carriageis on said upper track section, said inner-- most movable section and said carriage moving.

first as a unit followed by" movement of suc-.v cessive outer sections, and means, to latch,- said carriage to, said, upper track part.

ELMERpA. WAGNER.

EF RE C S-i C T D The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES BATENTISQ Number Name Date,

39,683 Tanner V Aug; 25,, 1863 516,346; Cardarelli l Mar; 13', 1894' 15,136;604- L"He ure 1.1X;v 4 Apr. 20;, 1915 1 644,613 Boyer fl v r l Oct. 4, 1927.- 2;183,95 3 Androsiglio ,Dec. 19-, 1939; 23279332- LeTQurnea-u --.----lAp1: 1 1942.; 

